Bangladesh

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Northover on 31 October (WS 59), what statements they have made on the treatment of the Rohingya by the Government of Bangladesh.

Baroness Northover: The UK Government have not made a formal statement on the treatment of the Rohingya by the Government of Bangladesh. However, the UK has been in regular contact with the Government of Bangladesh about the humanitarian situation in the Bangladesh-Burma border area. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs-during a meeting with the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, on 28 July-raised the issue of Bangladesh's international obligation to accept refugees and offer emergency medical support to those attempting to cross into Bangladesh to flee the violence in north Rakhine State, Burma. Right honourable Andrew Mitchell MP, the former Secretary of State for the Department for International Development, also discussed the humanitarian situation in the south-east of the country with Prime Minister Hasina on 12 August. The right honourable Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, personally raised the issue during a recent telephone conversation with Dipu Moni, Bangladesh's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
	The British High Commission in Dhaka, along with EU partners, has regular conversations with senior interlocutors in the Government of Bangladesh to stress the importance that essential aid agency programmes in south-eastern Bangladesh are able to continue. Since the outbreak of hostilities in Rakhine state, Burma, Ministers have made several public statements to express our deep concern about the violence there. Most recently the Foreign Secretary issued a statement on 6 November expressing UK concern and urged all political parties in Burma to do what they can to end the violence and address the issue of Rohingya citizenship.

Burma

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what engagement there has been to ensure that international monitors can operate in Rakhine State.

Baroness Northover: We have not raised the specific issue of international monitors. We have, however, emphasised to the Burmese Government the need for a greater security presence in Rakhine State to protect all civilians and to prevent further violence. We have also called for unrestricted access for the United Nations and non-governmental organisations to provide humanitarian support.
	The Burmese Government have, to date, allowed independent observers from foreign Governments and international organisations to visit the areas affected by the violence. Officials from the British embassy have visited Rakhine State on numerous occasions, including the British ambassador, who led the first independent diplomatic mission to Rakhine State in early October and visited again in early November.

Disabled People: Independent Living

Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review the impact of recent legislative changes on disabled people in the light of the report of the Papworth Trust entitled Home Solutions to our Care Crisis.

Earl Howe: There are no current plans to review the impact of recent legislative changes in the light of the Papworth Trust report Home Solutions to Our Care Crisis.
	The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that older and disabled people have access to the home adaptations and improvements which can enable them to maintain independence. That is why we are supporting local authorities and other partners to give individuals more direct control through personal budgets.

Employment: Under 25s

Baroness Brinton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, how many (1) 16 to 17 year-olds, (2) 18 to 21 year-olds, (3) 22 to 24 year-olds, and (4) 25 year-olds and over in England, are included in the category "government training and employment programmes"; and what government schemes are included under that heading.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, Director General for ONS, to Baroness Brinton, dated November 2012.
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, how many (1) 16 to 17 year- olds, (2) 18 to 21 year-olds, (3) 22 to 24 year-olds, and (4) 25 year-olds and over in England, are included in the category "government training and employment programmes": and what government schemes are included under that heading. [HL3535]
	The category "government-supported training and employment programmes" is normally published as one of four components-alongside employees, the self-employed and unpaid family workers-that make up the total number in employment. These are published in table 3 of the monthly Labour Market Statistical Bulletin for the UK.
	The published figures are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which identifies people participating in government-supported training and employment programmes. Programme participants are not automatically regarded as in employment but can be classified as employed, unemployed or economically inactive. This classification is based primarily on the activities they report that they were undertaking in the survey reference week. Those who report that they were engaged in any form of work, work experience or work-related training are classified as in a form of employment. Most are classified simply as in employment on a programme although some are classified as an employee or as self-employed, in particular those who have a job in addition to being on a programme. The remainder are classified as either unemployed or economically inactive according to the nature and extent of their reported job search activity.
	The table below provides a breakdown by type of economic activity of the total participants on government- supported training and employment programmes in England for people aged 16 to 24 and for those aged 25 and over. Estimates for the other age groups requested are not available due to the limitations of the sample size involved.
	
		
			 Participants on government-supported training and employment programmes in England, by age group, July-September 2012 
			   Thousands, not seasonally adjusted 
			  People aged 16-24  People aged 25 and over  Total aged 16 and over  
			 In employment: on a government-supported training or employment programme 38 *** 86 *** 125 ** 
			 In employment: as an employee or self-employed 34 *** 19 **** 53 .** 
			 Unemployed or economically inactive 19 **** 48 *** 67 *** 
			 Total reported participants 91 *** 153 ** 244 ** 
		
	
	Guide to Quality:
	The coefficient of variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate; the smaller the CV the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV. For example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.
	
		
			 Key Coefficient of Variation (CV)( (Y0) Statistical Robustness 
			 * 0 ≤ CV <5 Estimates considered precise. 
			 ** 5 ≤ CV <10 Estimates considered reasonably precise. 
			 *** 10 ≤ CV < 20 Estimates considered acceptable. 
			 **** CV ≥ 20 Estimates considered too unreliable for practical purposes 
		
	
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. An indication of the reliability of the estimates is provided in the table above. In addition to sampling error, there is a degree of response error. This relates to individuals failing to report that they are on a programme of any kind.
	Programmes that are identified separately on the LFS for England are:
	the Work Programme;
	Work Experience;
	Work Club;
	Enterprise Club;
	New Enterprise Allowance; and
	Work Trial.
	A significant proportion of respondents report that they are on a training scheme not included on this list and others indicate that they do not know the name of the programme they are on.
	These LFS-based estimates are not consistent with the official statistics derived from administrative data on attachments to specific training and employment programmes, as published by the Department for Work and Pensions. The LFS estimates relate to the number of people on programmes at a particular point in time-in this case they are an average for the three-month period July to September 2012-whereas the attachments represent the number of people joining programmes over a certain period. Consequently, there are significant differences in scope, methodology and the time periods covered and, therefore, comparisons should not be drawn.

Government Departments: Training

Lord Norton of Louth: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people are employed by Civil Service Learning (CSL); and what records are maintained of Ministers and senior civil servants taking modules delivered by CSL.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: As of 23 November 2012, 63 people were employed by Civil Service Learning. Records of civil servants and Ministers taking modules delivered by CSL are maintained.

Health: Costs

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 12 November (WA 251) about healthcare for European Union nationals resident in the United Kingdom and in receipt of a pension, why provision of form S1 has never formed a mandatory part of the general practitioner registration process.

Earl Howe: Under existing arrangements, general practices are free to develop and maintain their own registration criteria.
	The department is currently considering a review of charging overseas visitors for National Health Service care, including how to establish more effective and efficient processes across the NHS to screen for eligibility and to make and recover charges both from individuals and other European Economic Area countries where this is applicable. The review will include access to and the registration process for primary medical care services.

Health: Diabetes

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what schemes are in place to make the public aware of (1) the symptoms associated with diabetes sufferers, and (2) the best ways to assist sufferers in emergencies.

Earl Howe: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that structured education about diabetes and treatment of diabetes emergencies should be offered to carers as well as patients. Education is usually made available through local health services diabetes education programmes. There are a number of national and locally developed patient education programmes including structured courses such as DAFNE for Type 1 diabetes (dose adjustment for normal eating), and DESMOND for Type 2 diabetes (diabetes education and self management for ongoing and newly diagnosed), plus a range of tools and guidance to help local services choose the best programmes to meet the needs of their local population.
	Health communities and charities have also developed a number of regional and minority community schemes to improve awareness about diabetes, particularly targeting those at increased risk. Examples of good practice include:
	the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for North West London supported an initiative to raise awareness of diabetes prevention strategies and signpost those with diabetes to appropriate services. Diabetes Service Users Groups in Hammersmith and Fulham and Harrow worked to identify over 20 diabetes champions reflecting the makeup of the local community target key groups who were trained to raise awareness about diabetes in their local community and localities with a range of engagement techniques; for example, coffee mornings and informal talks. They worked with those who traditionally have poor access to health messages to share key health messages-for example, refugee-to bring about increased knowledge and awareness and appropriate behaviour changes. Sessions were run in community languages; for example, Somali and Arabic. Over 18 months, more than 3,000 people were reached at more than 150 events. Evaluation showed real changes in knowledge of risk factors and change in physical activity;since 2008, Leicester primary care trust has employed Gypsy and Traveller community members on a sessional basis to act as health ambassadors between the National Health Service and local communities. Over 30 health ambassadors, who are all volunteers, have attended training sessions alongside health professionals. The ambassadors have helped health professionals locally to understand the culture and needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities, suggested new ways of increasing awareness in their own communities, and take key health messages back to their own communities;Diabetes UK, in association with Travellers' Times and the Rural Media company, have produced an audio CD and an accompanying illustrated booklet, Don't leave it too late, to raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of acting early to reduce the risk of developing complications for the Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities. The seven audio files and booklet can be downloaded from DiabetesUK website: www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Introduction-to-diabetes/Diabetes---A-guide-for-Gypsies-Roma-and-Travellers/ or a CD can be ordered from DiabetesUK;the South Asian Health Foundation educates South Asian communities across the nation about diabetes; andSilver STAR (Screen Those At Risk), a Leicester-based charity that raises awareness about diabetes and performs diabetes screening, targets high risk groups in the city that are hard to reach, including its South Asian community.

Health: Diabetes

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what facilities are available to assist members of the public who are vulnerable to (1) hypoglycaemia, and (2) hyperglycaemia.

Earl Howe: When chronic, both conditions are associated with diabetes mellitus. Local National Health Service organisations are responsible for providing comprehensive, high-quality and safe diabetes services appropriate to their local populations, including providing information and education to people with diabetes about their condition and how to manage it. There are a number of useful and effective education and self-help programmes around England for patients to join.
	We encourage everyone diagnosed with diabetes to ask for and receive structured education and support as part of their care.

Health: Young People

Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they intend to introduce to promote concentration on the physical and emotional health and well-being of young people nationwide.

Earl Howe: We are planning to launch a Children and Young People's Health Outcomes Strategy early next year. The strategy will seek to improve the physical and emotional health and well-being of young people by improving health outcomes for all young people, but particularly those in vulnerable groups such as those with disabilities or long-term conditions.
	We are promoting or funding a range of different programmes to support and improve young people's physical and emotional health and well-being. Examples include funding from this department of £8.4 million to the Youth Sport Trust to deliver Change4Life Sports Clubs in schools nationwide. The clubs are designed to get more children and young people involved in physical activity and sport and reach those who are least active. We aim to establish 13,500 clubs in primary and secondary schools by 2015 and to date have over 3,000 clubs in secondary and 4,500 multi-sport clubs in primary. We aim to have over 750,000 children participating by 2015. To address the issue of stigma and discrimination which many young people with poor emotional health face, we are funding the Time to Change campaign which is currently piloting its approach with 14-18 year-olds.

NHS: Liverpool Care Pathway

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what projects they support to promote to patients and their carers awareness and understanding of the provisions of the Liverpool Care Pathway with the purpose of reducing anxiety about its correct use.

Earl Howe: The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was developed by the Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute in Liverpool. It is one approach to support the delivery of good care in the last hours or days of life, complementing the skill and expertise of the practitioner using it.
	The documentation for the LCP is careful to emphasise the importance of continuing communication and engagement with both patient and family. Such communication is essential. We are quite clear that failure on this point is unacceptable. A leaflet for relatives and carers about the LCP is available from the LCP website: www.liv.ac.uk/mcpcil/liverpool-care-pathway/.
	In view of current media concerns about the LCP, a number of organisations, led by the National End of Life Care Programme, the Dying Matters coalition and the Association for Palliative Medicine, are looking into complaints, patient experience and clinical opinion on the LCP. The Minister for Care Services has met these organisations and others representing professionals and patients for a roundtable discussion where he heard a range of views on the issues to be addressed. At the roundtable he committed to appoint an independent chair to oversee a review into the LCP.
	The changes we are proposing for the NHS Constitution include making a patient's right to be involved in their healthcare and in the National Health Service stronger by making it clearer that they have the right to be involved fully in all discussions and decisions about their health and care, including their end-of-life care, and to be given information to enable them to do this. We are also making it clear that their families and carers should be involved too, where appropriate. In addition, patients with long-term conditions or in need of end-of-life care may ask for a care plan. Details of this will be set out in the handbook to the constitution.

Overseas Aid

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Phase II of the Reproductive and Child Health Programme.

Baroness Northover: This programme's latest annual review (March 2012) is available on DfID's website: http://projects.dfid.gov.uk.
	The review rates its performance as having met expectations. Since the programme began in 2005, India's maternal mortality rate has fallen from 254 per 100,000 live births in 2004 to 212 in 2009 and infant mortality has fallen from 58/1.000 births in 2006 to 44 in 2011. India's total fertility rate has fallen from 3 to 2.5 children per woman between 2003 and 2009.

Overseas Aid

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of their funding for Madhya Pradesh Urban Services for the Poor.

Baroness Northover: This project's latest annual review (February 2012) rates its performance as satisfactory. An independent evaluation is also under way.

Railways: Thameslink

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 22 November (WA 416), which railway partners were involved in discussions about the probability of the Thameslink franchise being delayed and the effects of this on the availability of rolling stock when the current programme of electrification comes to fruition.

Earl Attlee: Ongoing discussions are taking place about rolling stock solutions that will enable the department's high-level output specification requirements. These discussions have focused on Southern Railway working with the department in this regard.